The very basic idea of a united Europe was to establish peace on the continent - where there is Europe, there is peace. This task remains urgent on the political agenda. Yet the EU finds itself surrounded by a belt of wars at its south and east: in the face of technological developments and shifts in the geopolitical landscape, an ongoing hybrid war is establishing itself. Unlike ‘conventional' warfare, hybrid warfare operates through image production, private armies, cyber warfare and political prisoners. In today's international status quo, a regime of hybrid peace prevails, where the hybrid nature of war affects political and social conditions far beyond the agents involved in the war alone.

Vasyl Cherepanyn from Visual Culture Research Center (VCRC) presents the project Hybrid Peace, staging installations, screenings, and discussions. Hybrid Peace explores the politicality of truth through visual art and forensic knowledge. Over the course of a 7-week period, the project will develop in multiple thematic directions around the concept of hybrid peace. A work-in-progress exhibition will be constructed, unfolding the concept of hybridity and its entanglements in Stroom's exhibition space.

Although far removed from war zones, the Netherlands can now claim victims in the Russian - Ukrainian war through the MH17 tragedy. Cyber warfare means military ends are now met through the social means of image production and circulation. A surge of far-right populism has led to a perpetual state of exception for the migrants making their way to Europe through its borderlands. The Hague, City of Peace and Justice, should be at the forefront of recognizing the conditions of hybrid warfare, to imagine its alternative in the field of law, cultural production, and international relations.

Visual Culture Research Center (VCRC)Visual Culture Research Center (VCRC) is a platform for collaboration between academic, artistic, and activist communities founded in Kyiv in 2008. VCRC is an independent initiative, engaged in artistic activities, publishing, scientific research, organizing public lectures, discussions, conferences, and art exhibitions. Hybrid Peace is initiated and realized by Vasyl Cherepanyn, director of VCRC.

VCRC is the first guest within the new program Our House, your Home, in which Stroom Den Haag invites international organizations to temporarily take over the exhibition space to do the things they consider to be most urgent, fitting or challenging.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSHybrid Peace is made possible through the generous support of: Mondriaan Fund, The City of The Hague, Prince Claus Fund for Culture and Development.